Sorting machine



E. H. EHRMAN.

SORTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APII. 4. 1921.

Patented Mar. 2s, 1922.

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E. H. EHRMAN.

SORTING MACHINE.` PPLICATION FILED APR. 4.1921. 1,41 L169. Patented Mar 28 1922.

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"EDWIN ni. E HRMAN, or on? PARK, ILLrNors, assjrenon, To coiirrnNY, or HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A 4oor-@orar:roN

sonrine MACH-inn.

Application led April 4,

Y Ilonka whom t may concer/a;

.Be it known that I, EnwiN yH. EHRMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident orI Oak .p lk, :the county of ACook and State Aoi illinois, havey inventeiil a certain vnew and useful Improvement in Sorting 'Machines of which the tollowing is a specification. y

. This invention relates ,to sorting machines.

VThe 'object ot the invention is to provide a sorting machine tor sor-ting ,articles ot substantially similar shape and size provided with .openings in their corresponding sides, which may efr-tend either ventirely or partway througl'i said articles. To effect ,the foregoing object, a machine of my invention comprises the -fvarious features, combinations ot features, and details otl` construction hereinafter described and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings, in which my invention is fully illustrated,

. Figure l isa top plan view, partly in section, or a sorting machine embodying my invention. 1

Figures 2, 3, -t and 5, are substantially similar views ot .a machine of my invention, partly .in side elevation and partly'injlongitudinal, vertical section, illustrating,step by step, the operation ofthe machine when the articles in the machine -jface in one direction.

Figure G is an` end view of the machine trom the right hand of F ig. l.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, sectional .view taken substantially on the line 7 7 of Fig. l. Y

Figures 8, 9 and l() are fragmentary views, partly in elevation and partly in section, on the .line 8 8 lof Fig. 1,'with the zur-ions, operative part-s shown in substantially the same positions as in Figures 2,3 and 5, respectively, illustrating the operation ot the machine when 4the articles in [the .machine tace oppositely to those shown in Figs. to and.

Figures ll, l2, 13 land '14 illustrate a number of different articles such as my improved machine may readily be adapted for sorting. Fig. l2 being an end view Voit the .artic-le shown in Fig-.13. i

use or application ot inf improved machine which is particularly contemplater is i" or delivering nut-blanks from a supply mas zine or hopper to a tapping machine;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patend MigusTaNnARn sonnw or New JERSEY.

28,1922. 19271. Serial No. 458,417.

4and for purposes of concrete and deiinte illustrations have,.in the drawings, shown my .improved sorting machine as applied m use for this purpose, said blanks being designated a Iand being provided with holes extending entirely through the same, which -ror reasons presently apparent, are countersunk at one end, as shown at a.

`Referring now to the drawing, l designates the base portion ot the machine upon which the operative parts thereot` are mounted, said base being provided with passageways Qand 3, the lower ends of which are in open communication with the upper ends of tubes or chutes e'and 5 adapted for deliveringnut-blanks or other articles to a tapping machine, not shown, said chutes iand being so arranged that they will deliver said blanks to said machine in operative positions, vwith Vcorresponding sides thereof facedv in the' same'direction.

ligiounted on the base l, so'as to be movable end-wise thereon, is slide 6 iormed in which is a passageway 7, which is adapted to be brought successively into register with the lower end ot the discharge chute 8 ot a magazine orhopper` adapted forv containing lthe nut-blanks to be sorted, and with the upper ends of the passageways 2 and 8 in the base l. o

The sorting ldevices are mounted on the slide G, and comprise a projection 9jr"ormed on one side of the pa'ssagewayf(v in said slide and what may be designated a clamping member l0, mounted in a suitable bearin the slide 6 and movable end-wise therein towards and from the projection 9."

.Reciprocating movement is adapted to be imparted to the slide G by means of sult- .able connection witha source of power, not

Y, rawn, said connection consisting, vas shown, Aoi api-ttman 1l, one end of which is piv- Oted to a lug l2 on' said slide and the opposite end .of which `is connected to theocranl; pin et said power unit,v and end-wise movein nt is `adapted to-be imparted to theclampi member l0 towards and from the proction 9 by suitable means, rendered opervative by reciprocating movement ot the 4slide 6, in the manner presently described. l r rilhe passage .fav 7 is controlled by a gate i3 litted to a bearing formed .in the slide 6 below the projection 9 and'the clamping member l0, in such position relative thereto that whenv said is advanced so as to Cil project into said passageway, the hole a in a nut-blank 0J supported on said gate, will be in line with the projection 9 and'clamping member 10, and the top of said nutblank will project slightly. above the top of the slide 6.r

As shown, `he gate 13 is supported by aA stem 14 formed thereon, which is fitted to a bearing'formed lengthwise :in the slide 6 so as to be movable endwise therein, and which extends from the rear end of said slide to the passageway 7.

Said gate 13 is maintained normally retracted out of the passageway 7 by means of a spring'l) inserted between the inner end' of an enlargement of the bearing for the gate stem 14 and a collar 20 pinned or otherwise secured tothe rear end of said stem., and movement is adapted to be imparted to said gate to cause it to project into the passageway 7 in position to intercept and hold a nut-blank deposited into said passageway from the supply chute 8 as the slide G approaches the limit of its movement rearward, by a lever 21 pivoted to a rod 22, which projects rearwardly from the slide 6, a lug on which is adapted to bear against the rear end of the gate stem 14. Y

Shortly before the slide 6 reaches its extreme rearward position, the lower end 'of the lever 21 is adapted to contact with a stop on the base 1, the relation being such that continued movement of the slide 6 to its extreme position will impartpivotal movement to the lever 21 suflicient to impart endwise Vmovement to the gate stem 14,A

against the force of the spring 19, to ad'- vance the gate 13 into the passageway 7, in the manner described.

In order to provide for adjusting the pivotal movement; of the lever 21 and thus the movement on the gate 13, the stop on the base with which the lower end of said lever is adapted tocontact, consists of a screw 24 threaded through a lug 25 formed on said'base 1.

TVith the construction shown, the lower lend of the supply chute 8 is closed by the top side of the slide G, which is extendedv rearwardly by means of abracket 26 secured te the rear endthereof, the relation being such that,V excepting when the passageway 7 is in register with the supply chute 8, the lower end of said supply chute will be closed inall'positions of the slide G by vthe top vside thereof or by'said bracket 26.y

Applied to the clamping member 10 is a friction device adapted to prevent endwise movement thereof, excepting by means especially provided for the purpose. Y

As shown, said friction device consists of a block 27, which is coniined in a hole formed in a boss 28 on the slideV 6, said block being maintained in frictional engagement with the said clamping member by a spring 29 inserted between the block 27 and the end of a screw 30 threaded into the outer end of the hole in the boss 28 in which the block is confined. Said screw 30 affords convenient means for adjusting the tension of the spring 29 to vary the friction of the block 27 on the clamping member 10, and said screw is adapted to be secured in any desired adjusted position by means of a lock-nut 31.

Y Endwise movement is adapted to be imparted to the clamping member 10 against the resistance of the brake block 27, inthe following manner: l

Rotatably mounted in a bearing formed in a projection 32 on the front end of the slide 6 is a crank-shaft 33 secured to which is a crank 34, which is connected with the clamping member 10 by a link 35. y

In order that the movement of the clamping member l() may automatically adjust itself to varying conditions of operation, the crank 34 is connected to the crank-shaft by frictional means. As shown, said connection consists of collars 36 and 37 on the crank-shaft 33, interposed between which, respectively, and the faces of the'hub of the crank 34, are washers 38 made of fiber or other suitable material. The collar 36 is pinned to the shaft 33 and the collar 37 is secured to said'shaft by means of a pin 39 secured in said shaft and which projects into a slot or keyway 40 formed in said collar 37.

A spring 41 inserted between the outer side ofthe collar 37 anda nut 42 threaded to the end of the crank-shaft 33, will exerta pressure on the collar 37 which will operate, in an obvious manner, to secure the crank 34 to the crank-shaft 33 with a frictional engagement, the strength of said spring being so proportioned that the frictional engagement between said crank-shaft and crank will be sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the brake block 27 to endwise movement of the clamping member 'In the preferable construction shown, the means for imparting endwise movement to the Vclamping member 10' in opposite directions is as follows Secured Vto the crank-shaft 33 is a crankarm 43, mounted at the end of which is an anti-friction roller 44, which, as the slide G advances, is adapted to enga-ge a cam surface on the upper edge of a plate 46, the relation being such, that engagement of said anti-friction roller with said cam surface 45 will operate Vto turn thecrankshaft in a direction to move the clamping member l() towards the gauge or projection 9. Endwisc movement'of said clamping member 10 by the crank 34 on the crankshaft will coliico tin-ue until the advancing end'ioiE said clamping member contacts with a nut-blank supported on they gate 13 in thevpassa'geway 7, lor until the roller 44l passes outof engagement with the-cam surface 45.- 4 llfhen trom any cause, movement of the clamping member Vvl0 is' arrested-as`iwhen the end of the .clamping memberl() lcomes into' contact with {a nut-blank a supported in the passageway 7.-urther rotation ofthe crank-shaft 3'3 by the crank-arm 43 will cause 'said crank-arm fto turn' relatively to the crank 34, such relative turning movement being provided .for by thefr'ict-ional connection of said crank to said crank-shaft, vrThe positions of different operative parts with the clamping member 10v in position to engage a' .nut-blank a supported in the passageway 7, Vis shown in Figs. -2 to4 inclusive, andFigs; 9and10.l Figs. 2 -t'o'4 vshowthev nut-blank acedso' that the 'counterbore-or-=enlargement a 'of the hole Atherein lwill'engage the-projection .9, and Figs. V9andlOshQow said nut-blank faced `in the oppositedirection. l y

vAsthe slide -continues to advance the Yanti-friction roller 44 on the crank-arm 43 will pass out of'engagement with the cam surface`45 and, when -the-passageway 7 in said'slide is Y'in 'register 1 with the passageway 2 in the base l, will come -i-nto contact With a cam surface r47 formedon an' arm 48 Vofa lbracket-"49 secu-red to theV base l of the machine. Said cam surface 47 is downwardly inclined and is adapted to depress the crank-arm 44 as the anti-friction roller 43 lmoves'ldown thev same, thus turning the crank-shaft 33 in a direction to retract the clamping vmember from-contact with a nutblank a, said cam surface being sovproportionedthat it will retract said-clamping member a distance 'less than the height of lthe projection 9, thus releasing a nut-blank faced as in Figs.v 9 and l0, but still maintaining the yprojection 9 in engagement with the -hole a in said f nut-blank, 'when facedas shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Partial-retraction ot said clamping member with'the release or otherwisey of the vnut-blanlr--depending upon the directionfin which said-blank is facedis shown iii-Figs. 4 and-10. f l

After the anti-friction roller Y44 passes 'out of engagement'with the cam fsection .47, it tra-verses a `neutral section 250 extending parallel withthe line of't'ravel otthe slide 6. Just before the passageway 7 in saidslide comes into register with the passageway 3 in the base l, said anti-'friction roller 4 vengages a downwardly inclined cam section 5l on the bracket arm 4 3 which will operate in `the same `manner as the Ycam-section-i7. vte further retract the clamping member l-O, the relation being such that when said passageway 7 is in'full register with the passageway 5, said clamping member will be retracted sntliciently vto release a nut-blank faced so that the hole enlargement au therein will engage the gauge 9, thus releasing said nut Yblank andv permitting' it to fall into the passageway 3 in the base l. Also, the Acani sectionvl is made ori" such length that, when "the slide 6 reaches the forward limit of its movement, the crank-arm 43 will ben in its initial position, shown in Fig. 2-in which the clamping member l() will be fully retracted. f

Full Aretraction of the clampingmember 10 is defined by a suitable stop, consisting, as shown, cic a pin 52 secured in said clamping member, which is adapted to engage a rigid part of the slide 6 when said clamping member is fully retracted. As shown, said pin engages a slot 53 formed in the slide 6 and retraction of said clamping member is limited by contact of the pin 52 with the inner end-of said slot.-

'In order that the anti-friction roller 44 may pass the cam plate 46 on -the return stroke of the slide 6 to itsinitial position, shown in Fig. 2, without disturbing the adjustment or pivotal position 'of the cran-karm 43 and thus of the clamping member l0, the cam plate 46 is pivoted at its lower edge to lugs'54 on the base l 4and is vmaintained normally in operative position by a spring 55, applied thereto, adapted tohold said plate yieldingly in contact with a stop pin 56 secured in the base l, and formed at the front edge of said cam plate and on the side thereof adjacent to the crank-arm 43, is a cam surface 57. Said ca m surface ispositioned in the path ot travel of the antifriction roller 44, as vthe slide '6 is retracted. the relation being such that engagement ot said anti-friction roller with said cam surface, will operate to turn the cam-plate pivotally against the-force ot the spring `applied thereto, out of the path of said antifriction roller.

As shown, `the spring 55 isa coiled spring and is applied tothe cam-plate 46 in the following 'manneiH-Extending through holes formed in said'plate and in the base l is a rod' 58, a: head on which bears against Vthe outer sideot' said cam-plate, said spring being inserted between the bottom of an enlargement 60 of the hole in the vbase and a head secured tothe end of said rod 5S remote from said cam-plate. To prevent binding of the rod 58 as said cam-plate is turned pivotally against the force of the spring the hole in said plate through which said rod extends is made slightly larger than .said rodi -Beginning with the slide 6 in its initial position, shown in Figs. l and 2, in which the 13 has been iully `advanced into the passageway 7 by pivotal movement of' the lever 2l produced by Contact of the lower end of said lever with the stop screw 24; the passageway 7 is in register with the supply chu-te 8; thc clamping `memberl() is in fully retracted position so as not to obstruct said passageway V7 g and the crank-arm 43 is in position corresponding to full'retraction of said clamping member, the operationof my improved sorting machine is as follows, the description relating in the rst'instance to a 'nut-blank faced with the hole enlargement vance onto the bracket 26 at the rear end' thereof, and when said slide is again retracted, will drop into the passageway 7 as previously explained, this cycle being( repeated indefinitely throughout the operation of the machine.V

Also, as the slide 6 begins to move away from the stop screw 24, the lever 21v will be Vfree to turn pivotally, thus releasing the pressure on the end of the gate stem 14 and permitting the spring 19 to retract the gate 13 out of the passageway 7,- the relation being such that said gate will be 4fully retracted, as shown in Fig. 4, when the passageway 7 is brought into register with the passageway 2 in the base 1.

Also, as the slide begins to advance, the cam surface will turn the crank-arm 43 pivotally `to Vadvance i the clamping member 1() to clamp the nut-blank resting on the gate 13, between the projection 9 and the end of'said clamping member, with said proj ectionin engagement with the hole enlargement a in said nut-blank, as shown inv Fig. 3. As said crank-arm 43 passes out' of engagement with the cam surface 45, the

clampingmember 10 will be maintained in position by the brake block 27 until `the anti- Y friction roller 44 engages the cam section47,

-which will turn the vcrank-shaftY '33 suiiiciently to retract the clamping memberl subjstantially into the position shown in Fig. 4, but not suiiiciently to permit disengagement of the hole enlargement a in the nut-blank y from the projection 9, so that said slide will continue to convey said nut-blank along with,

it. rlhe slide 6 continuing to advance, the anti-friction roller 44 will pass out of engagement with the cam section 47, along the neutral section and, shortly beforethe passageway 7 cornes into register with the passageway 3 in the base 1, will engage the cam section 51, which will operate, as previously explained. to fully retract the clamping member 10, thus releasing the nut-blank a, permitting it tofall through the passageway 7 into the passageway 3 in the base 1, whichY has been brought into full register with saidpassageway 7, all as shown in Fig. 5. V-Also, said cam section 51 will return the crank-arm 43 to its initial position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. i i

VAs the slide 6 is retracted to its initial position, the anti-friction roller-.44, Vacting on the cam surface 57, will turn the cam plate 46 pivotally out of the path of travel of, saidzanti-friction roller, thus permitting the crank arm 43 to pass said cam plate without disturbing the adjustment of said crank-arm and associated parts, said cam plate 46 being returned to its normal position, as soon as the anti-friction roller 44 passes out of engagement therewith, by the spring 61. Y A

fAlso, asthe slide approaches its position of extreme retraction, the freefend of the lever 21 will come into contact with the stop screw 24, thereby advancing the gate 13 into the passageway 7 in position to receive another blank from the supply chute 8.

Again starting with the slide 6 in its initial positionand assuming that the nut-blank a, is facing with the hole enlargement a away from the gauge 9, as shown in Figs. 8,9 and 10, the operation of the machine will be identical with that heretofore described, excepting that retraction of the clamping member 10 by the cam section 47, which will occur after the gate 13 is retracted and the passageway 2 in the base, will release the nutblanlr and permit the same to drop' through the passageway 7 into the passageway 2 in the base. f Y

In the operation of my improved machine, it is obvious that the clamping position of the clamping member 10 will vary when the nut-blanks a are oppositely faced, as shown in Figs'. 1 to 5`and 7 to 10, respectively, `or if the thickness of the blanks varies, and that, in either case, movement of said-clamp'- ing member' will be arrested at different Y points inthe travel of the slide 6 in 'a direction corresponding to advancement of said clamping member 10 into clamping position -or, what amounts tothe same' thing, at different intervalsV before the anti-friction Vroller 44 of the crank-armV V43 passes out of engagement with the cam surface 45.

Also, to insure engagement of the nutblanks a, by the projection 9 and clamping member-10, the cam surface 45 is made suiiiciently long to provide for any desired overtravel of said clamping member. j

' Under any of the foregoing conditions, or if, from any other cause, movement of the clamping member 10 should be arrested before the anti-friction roller 44 passes out of engagement with the cam surface 45, the friction transmission by which; the crankarm 34 ris secured to the crank-shaft 33, will provide for necessary slippage of'said cranklio arm toI permit said crank-arm to execute its full angular movement, while the clamping member will remain stationary, without strain or injury to any part of the machine.

Where slippage of the transmission occurs on advancement of the clamping memher 10 into clamping position, it is also obvious that, on retraction of said clamping member, contact of the pin 52 Awith the end of the slot 53, which defines full retraction of said clamping member, will occur before the slide 6 reaches the limit of its advancement and before the anti-friction roller 44 passes out of engagement with the cam surface 51,- and that the friction transmission through which said clamping member is actuated, will permit said slide 6 and crankarm 43 to complete their cycle of operation while the clamping member 1() will remain stationary and other partsV will be unaffected.

While I consider the machine shown' in the drawings and herein describedto be the preferable embodiment of my invention, because of its simplicity and the readiness with which the reciprocating movement of the Slide 6 lends itself to actuation of the operative. parts of the sorting devices proper, to wit, the gauge 9 and the clamping member 10, I vdo not desire to limit'myself thereto, as other means for the accomplishment of the objects of the invention will readily suggest themselves to skilled mechanics, in vienT of the foregoing disclosure. In other words, considered broadly, the vital and essential feature of my invention resides in the sorting devices proper-the gauge 9 and the clamping member IO-and other features associated with said sorting devices proper are secondary and admit of a wide range of variation and modification without departing from my invention and I desire it to be understood that I consider and claim all such mechanical variations or modifications ,as coming within the scope of my invention.

As Vone such modification, I contemplate substituting for the reciprocating slide 6, a movable member rotatable about anupright axis, either continuously in one direction or with anv oscillating movement, and for the actuating means for said sorting 'devices proper, rendered operative by movement of the vmovable member-either the slide 6 orsaid rotatable member-I contemplate substituting operating meansV actuated from a lsource of power, in no way controlled by movement of said movable member, though, ,of course, necessarily timed with reference to the movement thereof.

In practice, it may sometimes occur` that while the Iprojection 9 will enter to full designed engagement, only` a single opening in the articles to `be sorted,l it will also enter .info partial engagement with other openings tjerein.V such case, it will, ofcourse, be necessary to increase the initial retraction of the clamping member. l0 sufticiently'to release an article supported by said projection and clamping member, but less than the full operative height of said projection. Any desired initial retraction of said clamping member 10 can be effected by properly proportioning the length of the cam section 47 on the bracket arm 48.

I claim l. In a machine for sorting articles provided with openings in their corresponding sides, the combination of a movable member,

means for imparting movement thereto,

means on said movable member for engaging articles to be sorted with said movable member comprising a projection and a clamping member, one thereof being movable, means to impart relative movement thereto towards and from each other, said projection and the end of the clamping member being of such size and shape, respectively, that said projection will enter to full designed engagement only a single opening in each of the articles to be sorted and the end of said clamping member will enter none of said openings, substantially as described.

2.k In a machine for sorting articles provided with openings in their corresponding sides, the combi-nation of a movable member, means for imparting movement thereto, means on' said moyable'member for engaging articles to be sorted with said movable member comprising a projection and a clamping member, one thereof being movable, means to impart relative movement thereto towards and from each other, said projection and the end of the clamping member being of such size and shape, respectively, that said projection will enter the openings in one side only of the articles to be sorted and the end vof said clamping member will enter none of said openings, substantially as described.

3. A sorting machine as specified in claim 1, in which the relative retraction of said projection and clamping member proceeds intermittently, substantially as described.

4. A sorting machine as specified in claim 3 in which the initial relative retraction of said projection and clamping member is less than the operative height of the projection, substantially as described.

5. A sort-ing machine as specified in vclaim 3,1m which the initial relative retraction ofV said projection and clamping .member is suincie'nt to release an article to be sorted supported between them, but less thanl the oper- .ative height of said projection, substantially as described. A

6. A sorting machine as specified in claim 1, in which the means for imparting relative movement :to said projection and clamping member comprises a friction connection, substantially as described.

7,' '.SOl'ting machine' assp'eced lin claim l, in which a stopv limitsv and'dencs the eX-i treme relative retraction of said.' projection f and clamping member, s'ubs'taritial-ly as de-y scribed.

8.` 'A sorting machine as specified inj claim l 7,' injwliich the ymeans for imparting relativey movement to saldprojecti'on and clamping' member comprises a friction connection, substa'ntiallyy as described. "l

v l0. Sorting' devices comprising a projection anda yclamping member vsupported, so aste: ybe j relativelyv movable: towards and :from leach other; said projection;andtheend of 'the clamping member ybeing of such size and f shape that saidv projectionwill'enter holes; 'V formed inoneside 'only off' the,v articles togbe vsortedv and :the clamping member .will enter l nene of vsaid holes,v and means for imparting' y relative movement to said projection and clamping lmember; towardsandl from reachV other', substantially as 'described I 1l. In a machine for sorting articles provided with openings in their corresponding sides, the combination oll a base provided with passageways, a movably supported member provided with a passageway adapted to be brought successively into communication with the passageways in said base by a movement of said movable member, a projection on one side of the j )assageway in said movable member and a clamping member mounted in a bearing in said movable member in line with and movable towards and from said projection` said projection and the end of said ClampingY member being; of such size and shape, respectively, that said projection will enter to full designed en y* gagement only a single opening inthe articles to be sorted and the end of said clamping member will enter none of said openings,V means controlled by movementof said movable member for opening and closing the passageway therein adapted Vi'ior supporting articles deposited in said passageway with the 'openings therein in line with the projectionand clamping member, and means rendered operative by movement of said movable member for imparting endwise movement to said clamping member,` substantially as described.

12. A sorting machine -as specified in claim ,11, in which the operating means for scribed.

narines the' clamping member comprises a ,friction connection,v substantially as described. I 13, A sorting machine as'specifedm claim ll, in which the` means for voperating the clamping; vmemlier y 1s y constructed `and arranged Ito* alternately' actuate and release y vsaid clamping member,A `substantially as. de l scribed. n

ila.. A sortingmachi-ne asspecied, in

claim v13,v in which a friction is appliedv to the clamping member :to maintain it in y positionnvhen relcasech substantially as de v 15.,.Av. sortingfmachine as specified, in

claim 1% in which av vstop, vlimits andI defines j the extreme' retracted vposition of saidj clamp# 1 inc` member, substantially asv described.

16. ln a ma fzhine tor-sorting articles progy yvided with openirfrs in theiry corresponding" sideathe combination of a base provided member` provided with a passageway adaptmovable memberv vand a clamping `member from said pr'ejection 7 gsaid projection v and projection will enterrto f full designed ento be sorted and the end of said clamping member will enter none oisaid openings,

means controlled by movement of said movable member for opening,` and closing thc passageway therein adapted for supporting;` articles deposited in said passageway with the openings therein in line with the projection and clamping' member, and means rendered operative by movementof said movable member for imparting endwise movementv to said clamping member, comprising a crank-arm pivoted to the slide of the machine. connection between said crank-arm and clamping member, cam members on the base ol the machine provided with .spaced cam surfaces with which said crank-arm is adapte-rl to engage successively. the first adapted V'for imparting oivot movementto said crank-armto advance said clamping member towards the projection, the second adapted to retract said clamping' member a sufficient distance to release an article supported thereby but lessA than the operative height of said projection, andthe third adapted to fully'retract said clamping member, substantially as described.

17. A sorting machine as specified in claim-16, in which the connection' between ywith ,passageways v,a imovably supported mounted; in a bearing said movable member inline with and movable towards; andz therend or` said clamping member vbeing of such sizev and shape7V respectivelyi. vthat .said j l l g;aelement only :a singleropeningin the articlesv y l claim 17, in which a stop is provided to define full retraction of said clamping member, substantially as described.

19. A sorting machine as speciiied in claim l1, in which the first cam section is formed on a pivoted cam member which is held yieldingly in operative 1position by a spring applied thereto, and in which the third cam section is adapted to return said crank-arm to its initial position, said pivoted cam member being provided with a cam surface engagement of the end of said crankarm with which, as said slide is retracted, will impart pivotal movement to said cam member out of the path of said crank-arm, substantially as described.

20. In a machine for sorting articles provided with openings in their corresponding sides, the combination of a base provided with passageways, a slide movably supported on said base provided with a passageway adapted to be brought successively into communication with the passageways in said base by movement of said slide, a projection on one side of the passageway in said slide, and a clamping member mounted in a bearing in said slide in line with and movable towards and from said projection, said projection and the end of said." clamping member being of such size and shape, respectively, that said projection will enter to full designed engagement only a single opening in the articles to be sorted and the end of said clamping member will enter none of said openings, a gate mounted in a bearing in said slide below said projection and clamping member, means controlled by movement of said slide to advance said gate into and to retract it out of the passageway in said slide, the relation being such that when an article to be sorted rests upon said gate, the opening therein will be in line with said projection and clamping member, and means rendered operative by movement of said slide for imparting endwise movement to said clamping member, substantially as described.

21. A sorting machine as specified in claim 20, in which the gate controlling the passageway in the slide ol the machine comprises a stem slidably itted to a bearing in said slide, the rear end of which projects beyond the said slide, a spring applied to said stem adapted for retracting said gate out of said passageway, a lever pivoted to said slide adapted to bear against the projecting end of the gate stem, and a stop on the base of the machine with which the free end of said lever will engage as said slide approaches its fully retracted position, the relation being such that contact of said lever with said stop will turn said lever pivotally in a direction to impart movement to said gate against the force of the spring applied thereto, to advance said gate into the passageway in said slide, substantially as described.

22. A sorting machine as speciiied in claim 2l, in which the stop :tor actuating the gate advancing lever is adjustable, substantially as described.

28. The combination of sorting devices one of which is movable, and means for imparting relative movement thereto comprising a non-resilient lost-motion transmission, substantially as described.

24. Sorting devices as specied in claim 23, in which lost-motion is effected by a friction transmission, substantially as described.

25. Sorting devices as speciiedvin claim 423, in which the lost-motion transmission is constructed and arranged to permit lost- Y motion of the actuated member as the actuating member approaches the limits of its operative movements, substantially as described.

26. Sorting devices as specified in claim 25, in which a stop defines the retracted position of the actuating member, substantially as described.

In witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I aliiX my signature in presence of two subscribingwitnesses this 31st day of. March, A. D. 1921.

EDWIN H. EHRMAN.

Witnesses:

F. I-I. WATT, 

